Arranging care for parents: a checklist

A checklist for the adult child abroad: what to gather, what your parent has to authorise themselves, and what happens on the day.

Before you contact anyone

• The hospital and department, if a doctor has already named one — or the symptom timeline if not.
• Which of the four cities your parent can realistically travel to, and whether they can travel alone.
• Current medication, known allergies, previous surgery and any implant. Ask your parent directly; memory of an operation from twenty years ago is often wrong.
• Who holds the existing records, and whether they are paper, film or on a hospital app.
• Your parent's own decision. This matters legally, not just morally — see below.

Consent is your parent's to give, not yours

An adult patient authorises their own care. If you are enquiring on their behalf, you are confirming that you have their authority to share their personal and health information with us. Consent for health data, and for any transfer of it outside mainland China, is taken separately from acceptance of our terms and can be withdrawn at any time.

Do not send the records to us by email

Records, imaging and pathology travel through a secure upload channel hosted in mainland China, which we send you once a case is open. WhatsApp, overseas email and overseas cloud storage each constitute a cross-border transfer of personal information under PRC law. Preparing the records.

On the day

A coordinator meets your parent, handles registration and department navigation, interprets in the room, collects prescriptions and reports, and sends you a written summary afterwards. If your parent is admitted, you get a written update on their condition and the day's plan — you are not left refreshing a chat window.

What we cannot do

Guarantee a named doctor, a specific bed or a specific date; make any clinical decision; or pay hospital charges on your behalf. Registration, investigations, medication, stay and surgery are billed by the hospital and paid directly.

This guide covers process and paperwork. It is not medical advice and does not replace a consultation. Medical disclaimer

Sources: FamilyAid published service terms and privacy policy